AustPaul comments

I thought Japan has world class health care, I’m surprised that hospitals would turn coronavirus patients away. It would never happen down here. Our public hospital system may not be perfect but it doesn’t discriminate.

Not a fan of the WHO in light of their initial handling of the pandemic, however good he has been stood down.

I mean seriously, the man works for the ‘United Nations’ so he should be mindful of how he deals with other cultures/races. Was there no such code of conduct or the like?

For Gods sake, leave Taiwan alone. If need be have a UN monitored referendum on the issue and let the Taiwanese decide what they want. I’m sure they would vote for their (continued) independence.

Oh and boot China from the UN Security Council while they are at it.

@Rodney, I would be scared too if I lived in Taiwan and I saw Chinese cruise missiles being lobbed overhead!

@WB, ironic that you don’t seem American yet you have what looks like an American military insignia as your icon.

Freedom of navigation, completely legal in the eyes of the world. China sails off our coast often too, we may not like it but we don’t make a sing and dance about it.

I’d gladly come up for a visit with family if it was not for some organised tour etc. No issue with doing a PCR, done a few in my time.

I’m with girl in Tokyo on this one. The headline could have been reworded JT, not the sort of headline I’d see even in Australia.

‘Men arrested for organised sexual acts with minor’ would be more appropriate.

This particular charge is called ‘public nuisance’ here, it does happen but you’d hope the caller in this instance would get the message to stop calling after the first 50…

Maybe NHK can block his phone account?

Especially as it ‘involved’ a prominent politician

@JeffLee, you can’t expect people to automatically be immune to such sights if they’ve had little or no exposure.

Remember, this is Japan and they don’t have many gunshot victims so its no surprise this has affected some first responders, especially as it affected a prominent politician.

@deanza, I was comparing Japan and China which spends more than Japan on its military, 1.25% of its GDP vs 0.95%

China is sounding like a broken record with all its rhetoric.

@HonestDictator (good name!) is spot on.

Kind of hypocritical for the Chinese to talk about Japan ‘finding excuses for its strong arsenal’ when China is doing exactly that. The foreign ministry spokesman I’m sure can’t be well respected on the international stage, diplomat he is not.

Good luck to her! She’ll have to sink some cold ones with us locals, hope she can keep up.

@Rodney, the ‘region’ is the South Pacific not South East Asia mate.

Certainly this will now lead to a review into security for senior politicians when they address the community. Looking at the footage there didn’t appear to be anyone covering the rear.

I understand how the locals can be of two minds, we have the same issue in Australia.

I do hope to visit Kyoto next year if I can. With any luck it won’t be on one of these so called ‘escorted package tours’!

Hope that falls on deaf ears.

I have said it before, China is diplomatically immature.

If a politician or anyone else from another country wants to pay their respects then show some respect China and allow them to. Period.

Japan should make a ‘stern representation’ back to China about this….”Our nation is in mourning so please show some more respect and refrain from any political interference…”

When I saw the coloured bands I was thinking more like the Japanese Wiggles.

Good on ‘em. If it puts the spotlight on their town then all the better!

Very sad.

In light of current world events let’s hope the Japanese and Russian authorities can work together amicably on this to assist families of the victims with their closure.

@Rodney I doubt he is threatening China with war over the Solomons. I think you read too much into the article, however it is a cause for concern.

Went to a dawn service in Perth today, great turnout and good to be able to go again after the last few years of Covid restrictions. Saw an amazing sunrise on the drive home, hope peace will prevail in the coming year.

Lest we forget.

Enact some antidiscrimination laws with teeth, start an education campaign and then maybe you’ll see a difference in Japan about such issues.

For a country that is on the world stage it’s high time for this to happen.

@N Knight

The article talks about tourists, you are on a business visa.

Pretty sure Australia is opening doors now to foreign tourists, our tourism industries would be glad for this. The fact Japan doesn’t have a set date to reopen to the world (for tourism) is mind boggling! Local operators must be suffering quite a lot as antiquesaving mentioned.

Haven’t been up there for 4 years now, would be great to get up by year end.

@Takahito Matsushima, the General Affairs Division’s department chief, said in a statement: “We hope to thoroughly instruct and educate our officers to prevent a reoccurrence of such an incident.”

Why don’t you apologise in the same breath? It would go a long way.

@Simian Lane - then stay where you are! We’re not forcing you to visit.

@gazman - can I have the link for those videos please?

@Eastman - are you vaccinated?

I doubt our reputation has been ‘tarnished’, each country handled the pandemic their own way, our way whilst harsh compared to others certainly assisted us. I’m in WA and we’ve been quite fortunate until now..

And the PM’s comment about bringing your money, well we Aussies get it, its a playful remark, personally I would’ve just said bring your wallet and empty suitcases.

“Australia has suffered trade retaliation in recent years for angering Beijing for actions that include outlawing covert foreign interference in domestic politics, banning Chinese tech giant Huawei from major infrastructure projects and demanding an independent investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

What is wrong with outlawing covet foreign interference and domestic politics? It’s a bloody given isn’t if? And a legitimate investigation into the origins of the pandemic? Don’t we all want to learn from it?

I’ve said it before, we are way more mature diplomatically than China is.

Go Quad

Don’t know about Japan’s laws but here they are strict too. Like here I’d imagine the firearm licence holder has a responsibility to store the ammunition safely and securely, separate to the firearm. By giving it to a friend he is committing an offence but as they are investigating how he acquired them I’d say he’s not a registered owner/licence holder.

The friend, who I assume is not a licence holder is committing an offence by being in possession of said ammunition unlawfully.

@CaptDingleheimer

I noticed that too when I travelled to Japan and took photos with my Aust iPhone, (usually set on default to silent mode) people were surprised it didn’t make a sound when taking a pic on timer. I believe Japanese iPhones/Androids do not have the silent camera function, possibly for this very reason.

If convicted he should lose his job, if not step down.

Good the ban was overturned. I’m sure if it was another cause like ending apartheid, climate change or BLM it would be allowed so what is the difference?

I hope Craig Tilley goes and they find someone better to represent TA.

And…..what is being done to address this? Seems like half an article.

Japan Today, if you are going to run an article like this I think it’s a good thing to mention at the end of the piece where people can get help/counselling etc.

@John san Your guest comment about refugees not protected by the law, where did you get that from? I’m sure you will find they are and they often have adequate legal representation too. I can’t understand some of your other comments…

Interesting article, every country has the right to their own immigration policy. ours is not a perfect system but at least there is transparency in the process and legal avenues including an appeals system in place.

Might seem harsh but compared to other places in the world like China, NK, Middle East etc maybe not?

One of the online polls conducted on a news site down here showed 80% of respondents wanted Djokovic sent home.

Fine, start with education then after 6 months make it an offence if people are using the number for the wrong reason.